Selectable beam lens for underwater light

ABSTRACT

A lens for a wet environment lighting device that has a fixture with an interior that has an opening, and at least one light source located within the fixture interior. Light from the light source proceeds out through the opening. The lens is for location in front of the fixture and the light source located therein and the lens encloses the opening from the wet environment. The lens has a first light-directing area for directing light in a first beam pattern. The lens also has a second light-directing area, distinct from the first light-directing area, for directing light in a second beam pattern, distinct from the first beam pattern. The lens is positioned relative to fixture and light source therein to select from the distinct beam patterns based on the alignment of the light-directing areas relative to the light source resulting from a positioning of the lens.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/260,740filed on Oct. 27, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,084 which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/623,607 filed on Oct. 29,2004, both of which are entirely incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lights that operate in a wet environment are known. One example of sucha wet environment light is an underwater light that is within an aquaticenvironment. One example of an aquatic environment is a swimming pool.

Underwater lights have different objectives depending on the shape anddimension of the aquatic environment that has to be illuminated and therelative locations of the lights therein. In one case, the objectivecould be to deliver light longitudinally (horizontally), while inanother, the object could be to deliver a homogeneous illumination inall directions (horizontally and vertically). Presently, such differentobjectives are accomplished by manufacturing lenses designedspecifically to achieve the desired beam patterns. Such an approachrequires the lens to be removed and replaced to obtain a different beampattern. Also, such an approach requires separate manufacture, supply,etc. of the different lenses. As one example of such separate aspects,inventories of different lens models need to be maintained.

As can be appreciated, such manufacture, supply, etc., is costly andtime consuming. Moreover, there may also the added expense, etc. createdby a wrong type of lens being delivered or even installed at a use site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a lens fora wet environment lighting device that has a fixture with an interiorthat has an opening, and at least one light source located within thefixture interior. Light from the light source proceeds out through theopening. The lens is for location in front of the fixture and the lightsource located therein and the lens encloses the opening from the wetenvironment. The lens has a first light-directing area for directinglight in a first beam pattern. The lens also has a secondlight-directing area, distinct from the first light-directing area, fordirecting light in a second beam pattern, distinct from the first beampattern. The lens is positioned relative to fixture and light sourcetherein to select from the distinct beam patterns based on the alignmentof the light-directing areas relative to the light source resulting froma positioning of the lens.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides alighting device for a wet environment. The lighting device has a fixturefor location within the wet environment and that has an interior with anopening. The lighting device has at least one light source locatedwithin the fixture interior. Light from the light source can proceedfrom the interior through the opening. The lighting device has a lenslocated in front of the fixture and the light source located therein.The lens encloses the opening from the wet environment and has aplurality of light-directing areas. Each light-directing area has adifferent light-directing feature. The relative position between thelens and the light source is variable to associate differentlight-directing areas with the light source and provide different lightbeam patterns for light proceeding from the light source through thelens and into the wet environment dependent upon the differentlight-directing areas and light source associations resulting from theposition variation.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides alighting device for a wet environment. The lighting device has a fixturefor location within the wet environment and that has an interior with anopening. The lighting device has multiple light sources located withinthe fixture interior. The lighting device has a lens located in front ofthe fixture and the light sources located therein. The lens encloses theopening from the wet environment. The relative position between the lensand the light sources is variable to align different light-directingareas with the light sources and provide different light beam patternsfor light proceeding from the light source through the lens and into thewet environment dependent upon the different light-directing areas andlight source alignments resulting from the position variation.

In accordance with still another aspect, the present invention providesa lighting device for a wet environment. The lighting device has afixture for location within the environment and that has an interiorwith an opening. The lighting device has at least one light sourcelocated within the fixture interior. The lighting device has a lenslocated in front of the fixture and the light source located therein.The lens closes the opening from the wet environment. The lens isrepositioned to select from multiple, distinct beam patterns based onthe alignment of the light-directing areas relative to the light sourceresulting from a repositioning of the lens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example wet environment in which anexample lighting device in accordance with the present invention can beused;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an example embodiment of a selectable beamlens that can be used in the lighting device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a schematic, top view illustration of an examplelight-directing effect from a first primary light-directing area of theselectable beam lens of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is a schematic, side view illustration of the light-directingeffect of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a schematic, top view illustration of an examplelight-directing effect from a second primary light-directing area of theselectable beam lens of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4B is a schematic, side view illustration of the light-directingeffect of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 through theselectable beam lens of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 through theselectable beam lens of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective, torn-away view of the first primarylight-directing area of the selectable beam lens of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective, torn-away view of the second primarylight-directing area of the selectable beam lens of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to betaken as a limitation on the present invention. Further, in thedrawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating thesame elements throughout the figures, and in order to clearly andconcisely illustrate the present invention, certain features may beshown in schematic form.

FIG. 1 shows an example wet environment 10, which happens to be anaquatic environment, in which a lighting device 12 in accordance withone aspect of the present invention can be used to provide illumination.It should be appreciated that the present invention can be used invarious other wet environments. Some examples of such other wetenvironments include spas, baths, ponds, fountains, water sprayingdevices, and the like. Herein, the wet environment 10 is presented as aswimming pool 10. However, the swimming pool 10 is not a limitation onthe present invention.

In the shown example, the lighting device 12 is installed at theperiphery of the swimming pool 10. More specifically, the lightingdevice 12 is located on one of the walls of the swimming pool 10. Also,the lighting device 12 is located below the waterline of the waterlocated within the swimming pool 10. As such, light proceeding from thelighting device 12 directly illuminates the water. It is to beappreciated that the lighting device 12 may be otherwise located withinthe swimming pool 10, such as at or near a waterline (e.g., onlypartially submerged within water). In general, it is to be appreciatedthat the lighting device 12 may be at any desired location within a wetenvironment.

The lighting device 12 includes a fixture 14 that has an interior 16. Itis to be appreciated that the fixture 14 is only schematically shown inthe figures. This schematic showing indicates that the specificconstruction and configuration of the fixture 14 are not a limitation onthe present invention. Moreover, the construction and configuration ofthe fixture 14 may be varied. For example, the fixture 14 may even beprovided by the wall structure of the swimming pool 10 itself.

At least one light source 18A is located within the interior 16 of thefixture 14. An opening into the interior 16 permits light from the lightsource 18A to proceed out of the interior. Similar to the aspect thatthe fixture 14 is not a limitation on the present invention, theinterior 16 is not a limitation on the present invention. As such, theinterior 16 of the fixture 14 may be varied. As one example, theinterior is configured such that the fixture 14 provides for lightreflection out of the fixture.

Although the lighting device 12 in accordance with one aspect of thepresent invention includes at least one light source 18A, another aspectof the present invention provides for the lighting device havingmultiple light sources. For one particular example, which is describedherein, the lighting device 12 includes two light sources 18A and 18B.Each light source (e.g., 18A) may have any construction andconfiguration. In general, each light source is electrically energizedto emit light. Some example types of light sources include incandescent,fluorescent, halogen, and light-emitting diode. Also, each light sourcemay have one or more specialized 9 properties or characteristics, suchbeing a color changing light source.

A lens 20 of the lighting device 12 is in accordance with one aspect ofthe present invention. The lens 20 is located in front of the fixture 14and the light sources 18A, 18B located therein. The lens 20 istransparent, or at least translucent, to the light proceeding from thelight sources.

The lens 20 may be made of glass, plastic, acrylic, or other substancethat is transparent or translucent to the light. As such, the lightproceeds through the lens 20. In the shown example, the lens 20 enclosesthe opening of the fixture 14 and is in direct contact with the waterwithin the swimming pool 10. As such, the lens 20 acts as a barrierbetween the water and the interior 16 of the fixture 14. In the shownexample, the lens 20 is a unitary member. However, it is to beappreciated that the lens 20 may be multi-component. Within such amulti-component lens, the lenses may be in a stacked arrangement along amajor axis or the lenses may be located adjacent to each other in anarray. Also, within such a multi-component lens, each lens component mayhave light-directing properties (e.g., refraction) or some of the lensesmay have light-directing properties. In one particular embodiment, thelens is a multi-component lens that includes a cover lens that is incontact with the wet environment. The cover lens may not havelight-directing properties (e.g., the cover lens is optically inert).For example, the cover lens may just have smooth planer faces. Within amulti-component lens, the lenses may be spaced apart or in contact witheach other.

A seal (not shown) may be located between the fixture 14 and the lens 20to prevent water entry into the fixture 14 at an edge of the lens 20. Itis to be appreciated that the seal may take any form, may be of anymaterial, etc. to accomplish a sealing function. In one example, theseal is a separate ring that is sandwiched between the fixture 14 andthe lens 20. However, it is to be appreciated that the seal may beattached to or part the fixture 14 or the leas 20. Also, it is to beappreciated that the lens 20 can be secured to the fixture 14. Themethodology and structure for sealing and securing the lens 20 to thefixture 14 may be varied and are not limitations on the presentinvention.

One example of the lens 20 is shown in FIG. 2. The example lens 20 showslight-directing areas in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention. However, it must be understood that the example need not be alimitation on the present invention.

In this example, two pairs of primary light-directing areas 24A, 24B and26A, 26B are provided. Within each of the two pairs of light-directingareas, at least one area can be associated with one of the lightsources. Within the shown example, the association of a light-directingarea with a light source is accomplished via positioning of the lenssuch that the light-directing area is in front of one of the lightsources. In other words, the light-directing area is aligned with thelight source.

Of course, it is to be appreciated that the light-directing areas neednot be provided in pairs. Such an embodiment would be suitable for alighting device that has only one light source. Also, it is to beappreciated that the number of light-directing areas, or pairs of areas,need not correspond to the number of light-directing areas. As oneexample, the embodiment that has only one light source would have a lensthat has at least two light-directing areas that can be associated oraligned with the lighting device, for such aspects, the light sourcesand/or the light-directing areas would have locations (e.g., off-axislocations) that would permit different association/alignmentcombinations.

In the shown example, the lens 20 is circular with a central axis 22,and each pair of light-directing areas (e.g., 24A, 24B) is symmetricallydisposed about the central axis of the lens. Specifically, for each pair(e.g., 24A, 24B), the light-directing areas are located on opposed sidesof the central axis 22. Also, the light-directing areas are located(e.g., center-located) away from the axis 22. Still further, the twopairs of light-directing areas 24A, 24B and 26A, 26B are interspersed oralternated with each other about the axis 22. In the shown example, thepairs of light-directing areas 24A, 24B and 26A, 26B can be consideredto be oriented 90 degrees, relative to each other.

In view of the circular shape of the lens 20, association or alignmentof one of the light-directing areas (e.g., 24A) relative to a lightsource (e.g., 18A) is accomplished via rotation of the lens. In theshown example, the lens is rotated 90 degrees, to go from oneassociation or alignment position to another association or alignmentposition. The rotation can be accomplished while the lens 20 is looselyattached to the fixture 14. In other words, the lens 20 need not becompletely removed from the fixture 14 to change the light beam that isprovided by the lighting device 12. During rotation, the lens positionis variable without change of distance between the lens 20 and the lightsources 18A, 18B. However, it is to be appreciated that the selection ofassociation or alignment of one of the light-directing areas (e.g., 24A)relative to a light source (e.g., 18A) may be a one-time determination.For example, the selection may be done when the lens 20 is initiallyinstalled. In summary, one aspect of the present invention provides forthe ability to select a beam pattern from a single lens.

Focusing again upon the example that has two pairs of primarylight-directing areas 24A, 24B and 26A, 26B, the light-directing areasare arranged so that two distinct beam patterns can be achieveddepending on the location of the light-directing areas relative to thelight sources 18A and 18B. In the shown example embodiment, the twolight sources 18A and 18B are located side by side horizontally (FIG.3A) and the light-directing areas that are immediately in front of thelight sources 18A and 18B (i.e., associated or aligned) will primarilybe responsible for the resulting beam patterns. Light emitted from thelight sources 18A and 18B will be directed by the associated/alignedlight-directing areas dependent upon the particular light-directingproperties.

Within the shown example, the light-directing properties of thelight-directing areas 24A, 24B and 26A, 26B include refractioncharacteristics provided by curvatures on the surface of the lens 20.Thus, each light-directing area (e.g., 24A) creates a distinct beampattern, as compared to the other light-directing area choice (e.g.,26A). In the shown example, the beam pattern is dependent upon thegeometry of the light-directing area (e.g., 24A) that is directly infront of the light sources 18A and 18B. Briefly, the two light-directingareas have different geometries. However, it is to be appreciated thatother light-directing properties could be utilized. Examples of suchother properties may include diffraction gratings, holographic aspects,selective transmission, and the like.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations to show sample beam patternsthat may created by an embodiment of the lens 20. It should beappreciated that the sample beam patterns are provided only toillustrate the concept of different beam patterns and are not intendedto provide an exact indication of actual beam patterns.

FIG. 3A is a top view of the lens 20 which shows the light sources 18Aand 18B located side by side on a horizontal plane while FIG. 3B is aside view of the lens 20 in which one of the light sources is hiddenbehind the other. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first primary light-directingareas 24A, 24B are associated (e.g., aligned) with the light sources18A, 18B. Light emitted from the light sources 18A, 18B is dispersedsignificantly horizontally, as shown in FIG. 3A (see dotted lines), butthe light is not significantly dispersed vertically, as shown in FIG. 3B(see dotted lines). As such, the first primary light-directing areas24A, 2413 include structure for directing light such that the first beampattern is laterally oriented.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are similar to FIGS. 3A and 4B, but the second primarylight-directing areas 26A, 26B are associated (e.g., aligned) with thelight sources 18A, 18B. After being refracted by the second primarylight-directing areas 26A, 26B the light is significantly dispersedhorizontally, as shown in FIG. 4A (see dotted lines), and significantlydispersed vertically, as shown in FIG. 4B (see dotted lines). As such,the second primary light-directing areas 26A, 26B includes structure fordirecting light such that the first beam pattern is both laterally andvertically oriented. The dispersion is thus omni-directional within ahemisphere in front of the lens 20. In contrast with the first primarylight-directing areas 24A, 24B, the second primary light-directing areas26A, 26B cause light to have dispersion both horizontally andvertically, offering a more homogeneous illumination in all directions.It is to be appreciated that the beam patterns shown herein are only aset of examples and that other beam patterns can be accomplished withlight-directing areas made up of protrusions of different geometry.

The versatility of the present invention derives from the fact that anumber of distinct beam patterns can be obtained as or after the lens 20is installed for end use. In the preferred embodiment, such versatilityis obtained by rotating the lens 20 about its central axis 20 withoutremoving any parts. With two primary light-directing areas, rotating thelens 20 90 degrees about its central axis 22 results in two distinctbeam patterns.

It is to be appreciated that different arrangements of light-directingareas might make it possible to generate more than two beam patternsfrom the rotation of the lens 20. Therefore, the angle of rotationneeded to change beam patterns will depend on the number of possiblebeam patterns and is not necessarily limited to 90 degrees.

Turning again to the specific example shown in FIG. 2, the outerperiphery of the lens 20 is circular. One specific example of the lens20 has a diameter that is approximately 8.25 inches. Each of thelight-directing areas 24A, 24B and 26A, 26B has a generally hexagonalshape, and the light-directing areas abut each other. The shown examplealso has first ancillary light-directing areas 30A-30D extending over anouter portion of the lens 20 and a second ancillary light-directing area32 covering an area at the center of the lens. The first ancillarylight-directing areas 30A-30D may be contiguous or separated. The shownexample includes both contiguous and separated areas. It is to beappreciated that some or all of the ancillary areas may be omitted orreplaced with a different ancillary light-directing area.

As is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lens 20 has a convex outer surface anda concave inner surface. Moreover, FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-section viewsof the lens that show the first and second, respectively,light-directing areas 24A, 24B and 26A, 26B. FIGS. 7 and 8 are,respectively, perspective views of a first light-directing areas and asecond light-directing areas (e.g., 24A and 26A). It is to beappreciated that shapes, dimensions, etc. of the shown example, aremerely examples and are not required limitations on the presentinvention.

Turning to the specifics of the example light-directing areas, the twoareas (e.g., 24A and 26A) have different types of protrusions 38 and 40to refract light differently. The first primary light-directing area(e.g., 24A) is made up of elongate prism-like protrusions 38, which arearranged such that the elongation directions of all of the protrusionsare generally parallel. In one example, the elongate protrusions 38 havea height that is approximately ⅛ of an inch high. It should be furthernoted that in one specific example, the elongated protrusions 38 areasymmetrical when viewed from their ends. Specifically, the elongateprotrusions 38 are somewhat inclined away from the central axis 22 ofthe lens 20. However, it is to be appreciated that such dimensions andconfigurations are not required limitations of the present invention.Also, such configuration may be associated with overall curvature of theconcavity/convexity of the lens, the manufacture process, etc. The firstlight-directing area (e.g., 24A) has a propensity to direct lighttransverse to the elongation of the protrusions 38.

The second primary light-directing area (e.g., 26A) is made up ofmatrices of hemi-spheroid (e.g., beadlike) protrusions 40. Each beadlikeprotrusion 40 has a generally circular cross-section taken along theprotrusion extent (e.g., along an individual protrusion axis). Eachbeadlike protrusion 40 also has a slight conical configuration as theprotrusion extends upwardly from the point of contact with the overalllens structure. In one example, each beadlike protrusion 40 has adiameter of approximately 3/16 of an inch across the base and a heightthat is approximately 1/16 of an inch high. However, it is to beappreciated that such dimensions and configurations are not requiredlimitations on the present invention. The second light-directing area(e.g., 26A) has a propensity to direct light omni-directionally withinthe hemisphere in front of the lens.

Turning to the specifics of the example, as shown in the FIG. 2, for theancillary light-directing areas 30A-30D and 32, these areas coverportions of the surface of the lens 20 different than portions coveredby the primary light-directing areas 24A, 24B and 26A, 26B. The firstand second ancillary light-directing areas 30A-30D and 32 haveprotrusions 44 and 46, respectively. The protrusions 44 and 46 are lesspronounced (e.g., lower height) than the protrusions 38 and 40 of theprimary light-directing areas 24A, 24B and 26A, 26B. In the shownexample, the protrusions 44 and 46 of the first and second ancillarylight-directing areas 30A-30D and 32 are, respectively, parallels ofsemi cylinder-like protrusions and matrices of hemi-spheroid (beadlike)protrusions.

The elongate protrusions 44 of the first ancillary light-directing areas30A-30D have a height that is less than the height of the protrusions 38within the first primary light-directing areas 24A, 24B. In one example,the height of the elongate protrusions 38 is approximately 1/16 of aninch. It is to be appreciated that the protrusions 40 of the secondprimary light-directing areas 26A, 26B have a height that isapproximately the same as the height of the elongate protrusions 44 ofthe first ancillary light-directing areas 30A-30D. However, suchdimensioning is not a required limitation of the present invention.

In the shown example, the second ancillary light-directing area 32 doesnot have a definite border from second primary light-directing areas26A, 26B because of the use of beadlike protrusions for all of theseareas. The second ancillary light-directing area 32 merely comprisesbeadlike protrusions 46 that diminish in size as protrusion to axisdistance diminishes. The beadlike protrusions 46 within the center ofthe second ancillary light-directing area 32 diminish to approximately ¼of the height of the beadlike protrusions of the second primarylight-directing areas 26A, 26B.

The invention has been described herein above using specific examples;however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variousalternatives may be used and equivalents may be substituted for elementsor steps described herein, without deviating from the scope of theinvention. Modifications may be necessary to adapt the invention to aparticular situation or to particular needs without departing from thescope of the invention. It is intended that the invention not be limitedto the particular implementation described herein, but that the claimsbe given their broadest interpretation to cover all embodiments, literalor equivalent, covered thereby.

1. A lighting device for a wet environment, the lighting devicecomprising: a fixture for location within the wet environment and havingan interior with an opening; multiple light sources located within thefixture interior; and a lens located in front of the fixture and thelight sources located therein, the lens enclosing the opening from thewet environment; wherein the relative position between the lens and thelight sources is variable to align different light-directing areas withthe light sources and provide different light beam patterns for lightproceeding from the light source through the lens and into the wetenvironment dependent upon the different light-directing areas and lightsource alignments resulting from the position variation, wherein one ofthe light-directing areas includes elongate protrusions that areparallel to each other, and another of the light-directing areasincludes hemi-spheroid protrusions.
 2. A lighting device according toclaim 1, wherein the relative position between the lens and the lightsource is varied by a 90 degrees relative reposition of the lens and thefixture.
 3. A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens hasa circular periphery and variation of positioning of the lens includesrotation of the lens on a central axis of the lens.
 4. A lighting deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the lens position is variable withoutchange of distance between the lens and the light sources.
 5. A lightingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is anunderwater lighting device, and the beam patterns proceed through water.6. A lighting device for a wet environment, the lighting devicecomprising: a fixture for location within the environment and having aninterior with an opening; at least one light source located within thefixture interior; and a lens located in front of the fixture and thelight source located therein, the lens closing the opening from the wetenvironment; wherein the lens is manually positionable at first andsecond locations relative to the fixture and the light source therein,the lens has a first light-directing area including elongate protrusionsthat are parallel to each other for directing light proceeding from thelight source in a first manner when the lens is at the first location,and the lens has a second light-directing area including hemi-spheroidprotrusions for directing light proceeding from the light source in asecond manner, different from the first manner, when the lens is at thesecond location.
 7. A lighting device according to claim 6, whereinrepositioning the lens includes rotating the lens, the light source islocated within the fixture interior such that the rotation of the lensprovides for the repositioning.
 8. A lighting device according to claim6, wherein the first light-directing area has a propensity to directlight transverse to the elongation of the protrusions, and the secondlight-directing area has a propensity to direct light omni-directionallywithin a hemisphere.
 9. A lighting device according to claim 6, whereinlight proceeding from the light source in the first manner creates afirst distinct beam pattern and light proceeding from the light sourcein the second manner creates a second distinct beam pattern, wherein thelighting device is an underwater lighting device, and the first andsecond distinct beam patterns proceed through water.